Aegirine

Aegirine is a rare iron-containing silicate, often occurring in association with other pyroxenes like augite and hedenbergite. The name aegirine is derived from the god “Aegir” in Norse mythology, who is associated with the ocean. The mineral aegirine is found in syenites and alkali granites. Since the mineral is quite rare in Europe, it was probably never used as artists’ pigment in its own right to a larger extent, although it may occur as relict mineral in many green earths. Aegirine forms in elongated prismatic crystals. The particles range from dark green to black, and are very hard. The powder produced from it also shows this needle-like structure. Therefore, processing this pigment requires special care and vigilance. Aegirine is found in Norway, Greenland, Russia, and the USA. Another important, large locality of the mineral is Malawi in Africa, a source of excellent quality aegirine with large crystals. This is where the Kremer Pigmente aegirine comes from.